I have no interest really in axes or restoring things, but your videos showcase so much passion that I am thoroughly entertained watching them! It almost makes me want to get an axe myself and start chopping some trees.
Watching people clean up old tools on UA-cam usually bores me, and is very unimpressive... But when this guy does it, seeing all the time, effort and level of perfection he strives for in each of his tools, I can't help but watch and crave more. He really gives off the "I'm not fixing it because I have to, I'm fixing it because I want to" vibe, which I find inspiring and beautiful at the same time.
14 years ago, when I was in the Forest Service, we cut the adze end off a few Pulaskis to make some falling axes. I took one of the cut off grubbers and heated and welded it to another Pulaski to make a double wide adze. The added weight made for an amazing chopper and a great digger.
The Chinese one is not an axe it is a gardening mattock. it is for breaking up soil and roots. It doesn't look like a good one, but they were my grandmother's favorite tool for breaking up Oregon clay and roots. The small bit makes it easier to penetrate soil.
Exactly so GunFun. A Mattock is a dirt tool not a timber tool. I find a mattock is the ideal tool for digging out a tree stump - the mattock blade for removing soil and the axe side for chopping out roots.
I was going to point out the same thing, as a digging tool the quality of the metal is often low (very often it's a casting and it may even arrive in your hands completely unsharpened.) this is because the digging side really is a large expendable wear surface, the ax bit on the back has its shape dictated by the hard, long wearing (at least for digging.) material the head would be made from. A proper wood cutting ax blade shape would fall appart if made from the brittle (inexpensive if we are being honest) metal. It's really there so you can flip it around to deal with the occasional root as I'm sure you discovered.
Glad to see that four other guys beat me to it. I still have my father's mattock, which is great for its intended purpose, which doesn't include being used as an axe.
So your show has inspired me many times over. I month or two ago I was looking for an axe for fire wood. A good friend of mine gave me an older Pulaski. The handle was rotten. Much like this one it has surface rust. I picked it up a week ago and contemplated just replacing it. Then I saw a stamp on the side reading U.S.F.S. Again I thought of your show. The restoration began. With your help I was able to clean the tool up and put a new handle on it. I am proud of the tool and the work I put into it. Thank you for all your help.
As I watched this I was thinking how many people would have come across an old tool like this and tossed it away with no clue as to what they had. Cody I am glad you were able to pick this up and give it new life.
I'll add what I knew about the Pulaski's use that doesn't appear to have been covered. The thing about these was the perfect combination use of BOTH tools. They were most often employed in a 20 man hand crew cutting fire line. Pulaski's came behind the crew boss and/or flagger, the sawyers cutting and bucking trail above ground and those brushers clearing what the sawyers had cut and in front of all others in the line. The men with Pulaski's were the first actually "in the dirt headed for mineral soil", and usually about the toughest men on a trail crew. A Pulaski weighs about 5 or 6 pounds and was very fast. When one really get tuned in to cutting line with a Pulaski, the job was to reveal and then clear what the lighter tools behind you would not be able to easily clear. This was THE tool to clear the brushy thicker roots out of the duff layer of soil, roots typically of salal, rhododendron on the west coast or snowbrush, and manzanita where drier, and other such understory bushes that were growing in the fire line, and usually cleared to wider than the finished trail of 30" or 36" width when practical. These would also blow through rotten stumps or logs too punky to be moved out of the way in one piece. As such it was usually a cadence of a few swings that one did to clear space around the particular bush and without ever missing a beat, perfectly flip the tool 180 degrees on the upswing and then slice through whatever you had exposed with the prior passes. If you were really good you could even shuck the brush off the line with your tool and keep moving all in cadence. So the swinging never stopped, and one could flip back and forth with which ever of the tools one was using. It was as important for the adze or grub side to be just about as sharp as the axe side as it just made the total job go that much easier. This end was also sharpened the same as an adze or a slick, and never from the other face. Hazel hoe's (Cody, find one of them too) followed down the line, then some other lighter tools depending on topography and flora. The shovels and rakes were usually for the wimps at the back of the line, sorry, but true. This was hard dirty work that few could do for a couple hours much less day after day, and that I, thirty years later, would never want to do again.
It's good to see someone who appreciates the value and worth of old craftsmanship. They don't make em like that anymore... Thanks for sharing and enjoy it in good health !
I found a complete one of these hanging in a tree in as good condition a lot of years ago while cutting fire wood here in Idaho. The tree had grown over the head so I removed it with the chainsaw. There was also the rusty remains of a Winchester on the ground below it. I still use it every day during the winter splitting fire wood in the shop although the head is kinda loose. Thanks for the history.
Home Depot and Lowes sells this tool but if you ask a clerk for a pulaski, they have no clue to what a pulaski. I owned a landscaping company back in the 80's and 90's and used a pulaski quite often in my business. I love that tool so much, I recently bought a slightly used one for an upcoming irrigation project at my new home. Thank you for your informative videos. I found your UA-cam channel from The Idaho Painter.
I've never used one. I have read on the fire forums the guys say they are not as good as the old Pulaskis, but they always say that. Buy a used one on eBay and a handle for $12 and you'll be in business. I finished my handle today and it looks gorgeous.
I used a Pulaski a lot in a younger day, building fire trails on a forestry contracting crew. I still have two of them, one that I found along a creek near my house when I lived in Washington and the other was a Forest Service surplus find from when I was a teenager. Just found your vids, great job on the restorations that I have watched so far.
I just found a Pulaski today at a garage sale marked Tru Temper and another single bit with a handle marked Forestry DFP both for $5. Both axes are in great shape, just dirty. Can't wait to restore them. I've been collecting old axes and ax heads for a few months now, and I really enjoy your videos. Thank you!
Next to the FSS stamp is the trademark stamp for the Woodings-Verona Tool Co. of Verona, Pennsylvania Founded in 1883 at Verona, PA. They produced sledge hammers, axes, bars, picks and railroad tools. They were purchased by Ames Tools in 1997. Mark can be found on axes, hatchets, sledge hammers, and railroad track wrenches, etc.
You said you were an Firefighter... Im an Firefighter from Germany and i Love the Pulaski... In Germany we firefighter say Gott zur, Ehr dem Nächsten zur Wehr. which means smothing like God to honor, our neighbor to defend its an traditionel slogan
That 'chinese pulaski' is actually called a grub axe or grub hoe it's not made for the forestry industry really more for gardeners and agriculture. It's not really made to be an impostor.
+Nunya Dibness Yeah in the California Conservation Corps we called it an Axe Mattock, and we also had them with picks instead of axes and naturally called them pick mattocks. The axe mattocks we used when taking out a lot of dirt for trail building and the axe head is used for chopping out roots.
+Nunya Dibness Yeah in the California Conservation Corps we called it an Axe Mattock, and we also had them with picks instead of axes and naturally called them pick mattocks. The axe mattocks we used when taking out a lot of dirt for trail building and the axe head is used for chopping out roots.
found this bit of info on council tools website "the Pulaski is thought to have been developed in the early 1900's by Edward Pulaski, a legendary Forest Service Ranger in Idaho. It is said that in August, 1910 his presence saved the lives of 45 men during a difficult time in a large fire.
MATT BOLIN He forced them all into an old mine shaft he knew was nearby to escape the fire and when one man tried to leave he held him inside at gunpoint.
Cody, Awesome job! You my friend, have made my garden tools never looking better. Thanks to you I have done several axes, hatchets, and other tools, made handles, and put linseed oil on the handles. There is a Verona Tool Works FSS Pulaski on E-Bay right now, with the same stampings.
Depends on the tool. What are you looking for. Is wanting to spend hard earned money on tools that will last a long time and get the job done efficiently being "hung up" I think you could have used a better term.
I got the head of one of those at an auction and put a new handle in it and now its my favorite axe, wonderful for limbing and topping trees. It will take a 3 inch diameter top off in one strike.
My Pulaski is made by Council Tool. It looks pretty much identical to yours except the Adze section has a square shank that was twisted to form the adze. The adze is identical and so is the axe section since it was made under contract to the Forest Service. I cleaned mine up also and and sharpened the adze section for pole work.
Cody, you ought to try something called Evaporust when you restore these axe heads. I use it on rusty car parts all the time, it works wonders and doesn't leave any residue or dimples. It simply removes rust. It is also totally non-toxic. I am a huge advocate because it removes only the rust, not the material so you can really see what you are working with. Love these videos! -Noah
One thing I recently did with my axe was to use a cold bluing solution like used for firearms to put a protective coating on my axe and hatchet after I cleaned them up to remove rust and pitting. looks pretty nice and the bluing helps protect them with a light coat of oil like you do for your firearms. I also refurbished a picaroon for my Father In Law the same way and put on a new handle that I stripped first then stained with a walnut stain and resealed it came out real nice.
Beautiful work on shinin' up that old pulaski head. The pulaski is such a wonderfully useful and romantic tool, and certainly among my favorites. As one who builds and maintains trails, having used both of these tools quite extensively, I can tell you that the other tool, a cutter mattock, generally has a wider-angled edge than the pulaski on the "cutter" portion. Its more obtuse edge is more forgiving in the event that you hit rocks by accident. In my experience a cutter mattock will usually have more heft than a pulaski, although your cutter mattock appears a somewhat diminutive. I'm a pretty big fan of the cutter mattock. I favor it especially for removing tree stumps, roots and all, and especially in soil that is full of rocks or is liable to be hiding random lone rocks. It would make me cry to see the damage done if I were to bring a forceful blow down upon a rock with a pulaski blade by accident. Doing so with the cutter mattock is another story. Also, the smaller blade length on the cutter means more precise blows (again, for working around rocks and other debris around the roots). For digging serious holes, get your hands on a pick mattock.
I used a Pulaski cutting line and roots while on the fire crew. Was my favorite. My brother modified the back, to make it a hammer for knocking wedges for felling trees.
My dad is retired forest service started out as a smoke jumper out of southern Oregon. He has a bunch just laying here and there. I even have one or two in my garden shed, i never knew they were that big a deal.
Council Tool makes new FSS certified Pulaski's - and they are pretty good. But they sure cost a good deal more than your $2 find. Nice work! If it was not answered, I think that is the W,V,T stamp used by Woodings-Verona Tool Company www.wrenchingnews.com/wrench-logos/logos-page-1.html
Kind of like spending $2 and some elbow grease on a Pulaski. This of course is way outside the ability of the average man. Or perhaps you're referring to the bee hive I showed how to build using scrap wood, or maybe it's buying a quality pair of boots that will last 15- 20 years and how to take care of them. Or maybe cutting a fence gate down so you don't need to spend money on a brand new gate. Or buying used cars and showing how to fix them yourself. Is this what you mean by most up to date
Awesome!. I carry a cheapo council Pulaski in my truck box at all times. those FSS ones without the twist on the grubhoe portion are much better. that's a thing of beauty!
Thanks. This video brought back the summers I spent working on trail crews and burning off clear cuts. Most kids spent their time using a McCloud or shovel you had to prove yourself to earn the right to use a polaski. The Chinese tool you showed would be okay for landscaping where the main use of the cutting edge is chopping roots, something I would never do with a polaski. really enjoy your work, keep them coming.
Hi there, I love axes, old tools and this was a great video. Just wanted to say that I am from England and the cheaper, rubbish version that you showed is actually a very common tool here and is called a mattock. It's designed for more specifically digging and what I use it most for, chopping and digging out roots of plants and small trees. There is no real creator of this tool but it dates back to the bronze age. Thought you might like to know, brilliant job on restoring the pulaski by the way. Never heard of one before, need to find one for my self.
i will second that. A mattock is for moving dirt, not chopping trees. Its a common garden tool around here in B.C. I have both and each has its use. I use the mattock more, and a chainsaw for bike trail building, the "axe" side is just used for roots but yes it sucks and shouldnt even be called an axe. lol on another note great videos wrangler. Ive been sawing up 8x8 beams with an alaskan mill lately. keep up the great work.
Hey Cody, awesome restoration! I got one of these for my girlfriend recently (she's a former wildland fire firefighter). So you know, they actually DO still sell them. You can buy them from the Council Tool Company. They're $147.
Nicely done. I wish all the ones we are using looked that good. The finished product looks like the old ones we redo to give to the guys retiring out of fire in Idaho. Enjoy your videos and hope the fire season isn't too bad for you this year, you're looking dry without the snow.
I believe it was manufactured by Woodings-Verona Tool Co. out of Pennsylvania. They seem to have had quite a few government contracts with both the military and the forest service.
I've been resisting this next phase of my "edged tool" addiction, even as I've watched your axe and hatchet videos. But this one shoved me over the edge. No coincidence I'm sure, but this morning as I was getting ready for work, I was contemplating asking you about what to look for in an old hatchet head. Time for me to restore one... Wranglerstar style :)
The cheap china tool is not intended to do what a Pulaski does.. that is a gardeners pick Maddox. Definitely not intended to be hacking away at wood. the flat vertical edge is more for getting rid of ground roots, and the horizontal edge is a gardening trench tool. Can't be comparing a Maddox to a Pulaski... there really isn't one. Great find for 2 bucks by the way!!! Also, love this channel, keep up the great work on the videos.
I didn't read many comments but I'm sure someone already commented about your tool comparison. The Chinese tool I believe is a matox ( I think that's how it's spelled ) and not a proper axe type tool. The matox is a gardening, grubbing tool used for hoeing and cutting roots in a pinch.
I'd been looking for one for a long time. As soon as I got one, I ran into 2 others over the next 6 months, go figure... That's a clever method with the compasses to establish a point to strike an arc to grind to.
Awesome video! I do the same paint scheme with my axes, except colored blue. This is a great channel, and it inspired me to become a wildland firefighter. Best job I can imagine for a restless 20 year old.
Just picked up two Polaski heads. Pickeled them in muriatic acid mixed 2-1 with water. Works faster than vinegar still not harsh on my skin. One head is a FFS Woodings Verona works. The other is made in China. The Chinese one shows the heat treating line and may not be bad.
The mark is definitely an anchor. Ive seen some of the other axes and they are always titled anchor brand, so I don't know if that's the brand or that no one else knows anything about it either.
I remember seeing one when I was a child. My Grand father cleared right-a-way for the natural gas company. He had it in their garage. Don't know what ever happened to it as that was over 50 years ago. Good find Cody....LOL
Nice video. I just picked up a Kelly True Temper "Flint Edge" pulaski head for $5 at a spontaneous garage sale stop. Rusty, needs handle, but great steel underneath.
I worked for the USFS in SE Alaska doing trail work from the mid 80s to early 90s and most of the Pulaski’s we used were made by True Temper, probably other mfgs, but True Temper was what most were. All had the govt stamping, fwiw.
Just picked up my first Barco USA FSS Pulaski in a used tool shed for $45. Looking forward restoring. They must have had 20 FSS stamped Pulaski's in there, but only one with a manufacturers stamp.
I believe i your video "How To Care For Your Ax & Other Wood Handle Tools" from Sept 2012 you specifically called the red mattocks, from this video, an estate sale find. You used that mattocks to show how to care for the handle. I was surprise to see you complain about it in this video.
Beautiful work, I'm not particularly interested in chopping, I do it as a chore but you're so passionate about what you do, I have a lot if respect for that
I'm a fan. I love ya'lls videos. I especially enjoy your projects like this one. I too enjoy working with my hands however a disability keeps me from them often, or at least being able to work through until completion in a timely manner. Not here to complain just to say one thing that sets you apart is those moments when you show the actual process with no or limited narration and nicely chosen music in the background. Anyhow those moments are almost as satisfying as if I done it myself. Whit
I have restored a broadaxe and used a wire brush wheel on an angle grinder. It removes all the rust but leaves the old surface that I quite like. The only problems is it still leaves the dimples that you said are a problem.
Twas battered and scarred, and the shopkeeper thought thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the axe head, but held it up with a smile; "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me?" "A dollar, a dollar"; then two!" "Only two? Two dollars, and who'll make it three? Two dollars, once; Two dollars twice; going for Two... And done!" and to his room, far back, a wise man went forward and picked up the head; Then, grinding the rust from the axe head, and restoring the old edge, he created an axe clean and sharp as the lumberjacks sing The work had ceased, and the craftsman said, with a voice that was quiet with a sigh, said; "where else could I find this fine axe head?" And he held it up proud and high. A bazzar? A mall? An auction house? And who'll make once more? And youtubers marvelled at the sheen and the polish Many of them cheered and some of them cried "What could possibly have changed it's worth?" "The touch of a master's hand."
Whenever I find an old tool that is heavily rusted, I clean it with an electrolysis process using a 10 amp battery charger, washing soda, and a sacrificial piece of steel (I use a sash weight). After performing any major repairs, I spray the tool with phosphoric acid which converts any remaining rust (even that in those microscopic pores) into stable iron phosphate. I then tune and polish the tool to the state of finish desired. I work on other (fun) things while the hard work is done for me.
I think it is an anchor and the dot at the tip is where they marked the pivot point. My guess only because when I searched FSS pivot point the articles were about ships and there anchor pivot point.
yeah just be careful of that edge way out on the fire line buddy. went to Idaho one year, first fire we were on a fellow crew member cut his leg open walking in the black. I plan on ordering a new Pulaski. such a great tool to use, if it's good for the gov it must be good for you. great video.
Hey Cody Looks like your Pulaski was made by Verona Tool Works in Pennsylvania not sure if they are still around ... looks like they made amazing tools.
I prefer sand blasting or to use a sand and ceramic tumbler to get the rust off. It's slower but it does'nt leave any buffing marks. Just a preference.
I work for a tree service company. Our Pulaski is dull and round. We use it mainly to grub roots for stump removal. Rumor has it that our mechanic took a grinder to the edge. I rebuild axes and am very familiar with tempering, quenching, hardening etc. Are Pulaskis edges tempered like an axe? I assume the axe side is, what about the hoe side? I brought it home today to sharpen it, I'm tired of bouncing off roots.
Looks good I will be looking forward to watching you build a axe handle for it now. I have a right angle grinder. I bet I cant find a Pulaski in here but maybe since we have a lot of forest and mountains in Southeast Oklahoma.
pretty cool, about two weeks ago i picked up a big chisel at an estate sale.upon further inspection it had W.P.A stamped on it,you being from oregon im sure you know those letters.and cool to think it may have done work at timberline or somthin
The Pulaski axe is a beauty. Comparing it to a cutter head mattock is a little off base. The axe is primarily an axe. The mattock is primarily for grubbing.
Cody, I have gotten pleasure out of your videos for years now. I want to give back-ish. I have a Polaski, it is old and pretty bent up. but I know you could fix it. If you would like me to send it to you I could try. I would be happy to make a video on it to show you it's condition...
i love all of your restoration videos I've seen so far, and I have a suggestion for you, to save time and effort with metal. a 50/50 mix of windex and mr. clean. jewelers use it to restore delicate jewelry without scratching. I've used it to soak a seized motorcycle chain. it broke the seize, and brought a shine to the chain overnight.
please, please, please take a video of your first swing with this axe. it will bring me and i'd reckon others great joy to watch you use it. fantastic find and restoration.
There are some mattock/splitters on the same general plan as your cheap chinese one that are worth having - though the decent ones backs describe a nicer curve. When you get one with the right geometry they're brilliant for breaking up rough soil, and general cutting, also due to the heavy pick handles and the shape of them you can remove bigger stumps than you'd think in next to no time. I'd also defend them on the basis that a number of them will give you a great, albeit funny looking axe for rough, general use. The big flaw being that if you're using them to break up soil in larger digging (think large trenches and deeper holes) hitting the wrong rock sends the splitter back at your face far more easily than you'd expect. The one I've been using lately is about 5lbs but when you're working all day you get in to a rhythm of very fast swings and something about the shape makes it prone to coming back up with much more energy than you'd expect from the tool looking at it.
Cody, The best guess I can come up with on the manufacturer mark is FAYETTE R. PLUMB or PLUMB CO. The plumb "jet wing" mark is very close. You can see it at yester years tools dot com and select Plumb Co. (it's about 2/3 the way down the page. I can't find much more info than that. Hope it helps though.
I have no interest really in axes or restoring things, but your videos showcase so much passion that I am thoroughly entertained watching them! It almost makes me want to get an axe myself and start chopping some trees.
exactly what i was thinking! i have no real interest for axes and chopping in general, but these videos are awesome!
hahahaha, I'm right here with you guys! wasn't interested before i watched the videos.
get out
Fraser Pearson LOL
only dead trees
Watching people clean up old tools on UA-cam usually bores me, and is very unimpressive... But when this guy does it, seeing all the time, effort and level of perfection he strives for in each of his tools, I can't help but watch and crave more. He really gives off the "I'm not fixing it because I have to, I'm fixing it because I want to" vibe, which I find inspiring and beautiful at the same time.
14 years ago, when I was in the Forest Service, we cut the adze end off a few Pulaskis to make some falling axes. I took one of the cut off grubbers and heated and welded it to another Pulaski to make a double wide adze. The added weight made for an amazing chopper and a great digger.
The Chinese one is not an axe it is a gardening mattock. it is for breaking up soil and roots. It doesn't look like a good one, but they were my grandmother's favorite tool for breaking up Oregon clay and roots. The small bit makes it easier to penetrate soil.
Exactly so GunFun. A Mattock is a dirt tool not a timber tool. I find a mattock is the ideal tool for digging out a tree stump - the mattock blade for removing soil and the axe side for chopping out roots.
I was going to point out the same thing, as a digging tool the quality of the metal is often low (very often it's a casting and it may even arrive in your hands completely unsharpened.) this is because the digging side really is a large expendable wear surface, the ax bit on the back has its shape dictated by the hard, long wearing (at least for digging.) material the head would be made from. A proper wood cutting ax blade shape would fall appart if made from the brittle (inexpensive if we are being honest) metal. It's really there so you can flip it around to deal with the occasional root as I'm sure you discovered.
Glad to see that four other guys beat me to it. I still have my father's mattock, which is great for its intended purpose, which doesn't include being used as an axe.
GunFun ZS I have also herd them called a grubbing axe
We called them cutter mattocks when doing trail building..I swear he must know that its not a fake Pulaski cause this guy is pretty intelligent
So your show has inspired me many times over. I month or two ago I was looking for an axe for fire wood. A good friend of mine gave me an older Pulaski. The handle was rotten. Much like this one it has surface rust. I picked it up a week ago and contemplated just replacing it. Then I saw a stamp on the side reading U.S.F.S. Again I thought of your show. The restoration began. With your help I was able to clean the tool up and put a new handle on it. I am proud of the tool and the work I put into it. Thank you for all your help.
As I watched this I was thinking how many people would have come across an old tool like this and tossed it away with no clue as to what they had. Cody I am glad you were able to pick this up and give it new life.
I'll add what I knew about the Pulaski's use that doesn't appear to have been covered. The thing about these was the perfect combination use of BOTH tools. They were most often employed in a 20 man hand crew cutting fire line. Pulaski's came behind the crew boss and/or flagger, the sawyers cutting and bucking trail above ground and those brushers clearing what the sawyers had cut and in front of all others in the line.
The men with Pulaski's were the first actually "in the dirt headed for mineral soil", and usually about the toughest men on a trail crew. A Pulaski weighs about 5 or 6 pounds and was very fast. When one really get tuned in to cutting line with a Pulaski, the job was to reveal and then clear what the lighter tools behind you would not be able to easily clear. This was THE tool to clear the brushy thicker roots out of the duff layer of soil, roots typically of salal, rhododendron on the west coast or snowbrush, and manzanita where drier, and other such understory bushes that were growing in the fire line, and usually cleared to wider than the finished trail of 30" or 36" width when practical. These would also blow through rotten stumps or logs too punky to be moved out of the way in one piece.
As such it was usually a cadence of a few swings that one did to clear space around the particular bush and without ever missing a beat, perfectly flip the tool 180 degrees on the upswing and then slice through whatever you had exposed with the prior passes. If you were really good you could even shuck the brush off the line with your tool and keep moving all in cadence. So the swinging never stopped, and one could flip back and forth with which ever of the tools one was using. It was as important for the adze or grub side to be just about as sharp as the axe side as it just made the total job go that much easier. This end was also sharpened the same as an adze or a slick, and never from the other face.
Hazel hoe's (Cody, find one of them too) followed down the line, then some other lighter tools depending on topography and flora. The shovels and rakes were usually for the wimps at the back of the line, sorry, but true. This was hard dirty work that few could do for a couple hours much less day after day, and that I, thirty years later, would never want to do again.
It's good to see someone who appreciates the value and worth of old craftsmanship.
They don't make em like that anymore... Thanks for sharing and enjoy it in good health !
I found a complete one of these hanging in a tree in as good condition a lot of years ago while cutting fire wood here in Idaho. The tree had grown over the head so I removed it with the chainsaw. There was also the rusty remains of a Winchester on the ground below it. I still use it every day during the winter splitting fire wood in the shop although the head is kinda loose. Thanks for the history.
Home Depot and Lowes sells this tool but if you ask a clerk for a pulaski, they have no clue to what a pulaski.
I owned a landscaping company back in the 80's and 90's and used a pulaski quite often in my business. I love that tool so much, I recently bought a slightly used one for an upcoming irrigation project at my new home.
Thank you for your informative videos.
I found your UA-cam channel from The Idaho Painter.
I've never used one. I have read on the fire forums the guys say they are not as good as the old Pulaskis, but they always say that. Buy a used one on eBay and a handle for $12 and you'll be in business. I finished my handle today and it looks gorgeous.
I used a Pulaski a lot in a younger day, building fire trails on a forestry contracting crew. I still have two of them, one that I found along a creek near my house when I lived in Washington and the other was a Forest Service surplus find from when I was a teenager. Just found your vids, great job on the restorations that I have watched so far.
I just found a Pulaski today at a garage sale marked Tru Temper and another single bit with a handle marked Forestry DFP both for $5. Both axes are in great shape, just dirty. Can't wait to restore them. I've been collecting old axes and ax heads for a few months now, and I really enjoy your videos. Thank you!
Next to the FSS stamp is the trademark stamp for the Woodings-Verona Tool Co. of Verona, Pennsylvania
Founded in 1883 at Verona, PA. They produced
sledge hammers, axes, bars, picks and railroad tools. They were purchased
by Ames Tools in 1997.
Mark can be found on axes, hatchets, sledge hammers,
and railroad track wrenches, etc.
You said you were an Firefighter... Im an Firefighter from Germany and i Love the Pulaski...
In Germany we firefighter say Gott zur, Ehr dem Nächsten zur Wehr.
which means smothing like God to honor, our neighbor to defend
its an traditionel slogan
Your enthusiasm for such things is refreshing.
That 'chinese pulaski' is actually called a grub axe or grub hoe it's not made for the forestry industry really more for gardeners and agriculture. It's not really made to be an impostor.
+Nunya Dibness Yeah in the California Conservation Corps we called it an Axe Mattock, and we also had them with picks instead of axes and naturally called them pick mattocks. The axe mattocks we used when taking out a lot of dirt for trail building and the axe head is used for chopping out roots.
+Nunya Dibness Yeah in the California Conservation Corps we called it an Axe Mattock, and we also had them with picks instead of axes and naturally called them pick mattocks. The axe mattocks we used when taking out a lot of dirt for trail building and the axe head is used for chopping out roots.
Nunya Dibness yeah this dude is trashing it not knowing it’s a different tool! Prime example how you can’t trust everything these bid UA-camrs say
found this bit of info on council tools website "the Pulaski is thought to have been developed in the early 1900's by Edward Pulaski, a legendary Forest Service Ranger in Idaho. It is said that in August, 1910 his presence saved the lives of 45 men during a difficult time in a large fire.
MATT BOLIN He forced them all into an old mine shaft he knew was nearby to escape the fire and when one man tried to leave he held him inside at gunpoint.
Good choice. I have mine that I found in the Park Service, I quick fist clamped it to my truck. I even dug a garden with it once.
Cody, Awesome job! You my friend, have made my garden tools never looking better. Thanks to you I have done several axes, hatchets, and other tools, made handles, and put linseed oil on the handles.
There is a Verona Tool Works FSS Pulaski on E-Bay right now, with the same stampings.
The cheap Chinese Pulaski is actually a mattock which is used for digging and cutting roots
Depends on the tool. What are you looking for. Is wanting to spend hard earned money on tools that will last a long time and get the job done efficiently being "hung up" I think you could have used a better term.
the cast mark is from anchor steel company
I got the head of one of those at an auction and put a new handle in it and now its my favorite axe, wonderful for limbing and topping trees. It will take a 3 inch diameter top off in one strike.
My Pulaski is made by Council Tool. It looks pretty much identical to yours except the Adze section has a square shank that was twisted to form the adze. The adze is identical and so is the axe section since it was made under contract to the Forest Service. I cleaned mine up also and and sharpened the adze section for pole work.
I love watching you restore those old tools.... Awesome workmanship and dedication to a job well done ! Keep up the good work !
I just found an old Vaughan FS Pulaski at an antique pavilion for cheap. Fixing it up now. Beautiful tool
Ok I see what your talking about. The red was a reflection from my tool box.
Cody, you ought to try something called Evaporust when you restore these axe heads. I use it on rusty car parts all the time, it works wonders and doesn't leave any residue or dimples. It simply removes rust. It is also totally non-toxic. I am a huge advocate because it removes only the rust, not the material so you can really see what you are working with. Love these videos!
-Noah
One thing I recently did with my axe was to use a cold bluing solution like used for firearms to put a protective coating on my axe and hatchet after I cleaned them up to remove rust and pitting. looks pretty nice and the bluing helps protect them with a light coat of oil like you do for your firearms. I also refurbished a picaroon for my Father In Law the same way and put on a new handle that I stripped first then stained with a walnut stain and resealed it came out real nice.
Beautiful work on shinin' up that old pulaski head. The pulaski is such a wonderfully useful and romantic tool, and certainly among my favorites.
As one who builds and maintains trails, having used both of these tools quite extensively, I can tell you that the other tool, a cutter mattock, generally has a wider-angled edge than the pulaski on the "cutter" portion. Its more obtuse edge is more forgiving in the event that you hit rocks by accident. In my experience a cutter mattock will usually have more heft than a pulaski, although your cutter mattock appears a somewhat diminutive. I'm a pretty big fan of the cutter mattock. I favor it especially for removing tree stumps, roots and all, and especially in soil that is full of rocks or is liable to be hiding random lone rocks. It would make me cry to see the damage done if I were to bring a forceful blow down upon a rock with a pulaski blade by accident. Doing so with the cutter mattock is another story. Also, the smaller blade length on the cutter means more precise blows (again, for working around rocks and other debris around the roots). For digging serious holes, get your hands on a pick mattock.
I used a Pulaski cutting line and roots while on the fire crew. Was my favorite. My brother modified the back, to make it a hammer for knocking wedges for felling trees.
My dad is retired forest service started out as a smoke jumper out of southern Oregon. He has a bunch just laying here and there. I even have one or two in my garden shed, i never knew they were that big a deal.
The personality you put in your channel makes me want to be a better man.
Inspirational.
God Bless!
Council Tool makes new FSS certified Pulaski's - and they are pretty good. But they sure cost a good deal more than your $2 find. Nice work!
If it was not answered, I think that is the W,V,T stamp used by Woodings-Verona Tool Company
www.wrenchingnews.com/wrench-logos/logos-page-1.html
It's definitely WVT, you're right.
Kind of like spending $2 and some elbow grease on a Pulaski. This of course is way outside the ability of the average man. Or perhaps you're referring to the bee hive I showed how to build using scrap wood, or maybe it's buying a quality pair of boots that will last 15- 20 years and how to take care of them. Or maybe cutting a fence gate down so you don't need to spend money on a brand new
gate. Or buying used cars and showing how to fix them yourself. Is this what you mean by most up to date
That is in FANTASTIC shape! Most of the old ones are worn terribly at the toe from people chopping into the ground.
Just picked up a Plumb pulaski today at a garage sale. Can't wait to get it cleaned up and install a new handle.
Awesome!. I carry a cheapo council Pulaski in my truck box at all times. those FSS ones without the twist on the grubhoe portion are much better. that's a thing of beauty!
Having said that, you have done a brilliant job on the restoration, it looks great.
Thanks. This video brought back the summers I spent working on trail crews and burning off clear cuts. Most kids spent their time using a McCloud or shovel you had to prove yourself to earn the right to use a polaski.
The Chinese tool you showed would be okay for landscaping where the main use of the cutting edge is chopping roots, something I would never do with a polaski.
really enjoy your work, keep them coming.
I spent 2 months with a Polaski never more than 5 feet away from me. Great tool. I miss it
Hi there, I love axes, old tools and this was a great video. Just wanted to say that I am from England and the cheaper, rubbish version that you showed is actually a very common tool here and is called a mattock. It's designed for more specifically digging and what I use it most for, chopping and digging out roots of plants and small trees. There is no real creator of this tool but it dates back to the bronze age. Thought you might like to know, brilliant job on restoring the pulaski by the way. Never heard of one before, need to find one for my self.
i will second that. A mattock is for moving dirt, not chopping trees. Its a common garden tool around here in B.C. I have both and each has its use. I use the mattock more, and a chainsaw for bike trail building, the "axe" side is just used for roots but yes it sucks and shouldnt even be called an axe. lol on another note great videos wrangler. Ive been sawing up 8x8 beams with an alaskan mill lately. keep up the great work.
Hey Cody, awesome restoration! I got one of these for my girlfriend recently (she's a former wildland fire firefighter). So you know, they actually DO still sell them. You can buy them from the Council Tool Company. They're $147.
Nicely done. I wish all the ones we are using looked that good. The finished product looks like the old ones we redo to give to the guys retiring out of fire in Idaho. Enjoy your videos and hope the fire season isn't too bad for you this year, you're looking dry without the snow.
I believe it was manufactured by Woodings-Verona Tool Co. out of Pennsylvania. They seem to have had quite a few government contracts with both the military and the forest service.
I've been resisting this next phase of my "edged tool" addiction, even as I've watched your axe and hatchet videos. But this one shoved me over the edge. No coincidence I'm sure, but this morning as I was getting ready for work, I was contemplating asking you about what to look for in an old hatchet head. Time for me to restore one... Wranglerstar style :)
The cheap china tool is not intended to do what a Pulaski does.. that is a gardeners pick Maddox. Definitely not intended to be hacking away at wood. the flat vertical edge is more for getting rid of ground roots, and the horizontal edge is a gardening trench tool. Can't be comparing a Maddox to a Pulaski... there really isn't one. Great find for 2 bucks by the way!!! Also, love this channel, keep up the great work on the videos.
I didn't read many comments but I'm sure someone already commented about your tool comparison. The Chinese tool I believe is a matox ( I think that's how it's spelled ) and not a proper axe type tool. The matox is a gardening, grubbing tool used for hoeing and cutting roots in a pinch.
I'd been looking for one for a long time. As soon as I got one, I ran into 2 others over the next 6 months, go figure... That's a clever method with the compasses to establish a point to strike an arc to grind to.
Awesome video! I do the same paint scheme with my axes, except colored blue. This is a great channel, and it inspired me to become a wildland firefighter. Best job I can imagine for a restless 20 year old.
I
Just started working on an old Collins and company axe u found in my grandfathers barn, and this video made me want to do it.
Just picked up two Polaski heads. Pickeled them in muriatic acid mixed 2-1 with water. Works faster than vinegar still not harsh on my skin. One head is a FFS Woodings Verona works. The other is made in China. The Chinese one shows the heat treating line and may not be bad.
I got a plumb brand fss pulaski from my grandpa a couple of months ago its in awsome condition. Can't wait to rehang it and try it out.
Fought Montana forest fires in 94, brings back memories. Dug a lot of line with one of those!
The mark is definitely an anchor. Ive seen some of the other axes and they are always titled anchor brand, so I don't know if that's the brand or that no one else knows anything about it either.
I like to see your restoration tools videos, it's like taking care of the past.
I remember seeing one when I was a child. My Grand father cleared right-a-way for the natural gas company. He had it in their garage. Don't know what ever happened to it as that was over 50 years ago. Good find Cody....LOL
in my reading, in reference to the FSS stamp, I have also come across Forest Service Specification vs Federal Supply Service.
The axe was also used by my grandfather to fight fires here in Canada- just forgot to mention that...
Nice video. I just picked up a Kelly True Temper "Flint Edge" pulaski head for $5 at a spontaneous garage sale stop. Rusty, needs handle, but great steel underneath.
I think the tool your replacing with the pulaski is the traditional cutting mattock combining and adz and an axe. Nice job.
I worked for the USFS in SE Alaska doing trail work from the mid 80s to early 90s and most of the Pulaski’s we used were made by True Temper, probably other mfgs, but True Temper was what most were. All had the govt stamping, fwiw.
Just picked up my first Barco USA FSS Pulaski in a used tool shed for $45. Looking forward restoring. They must have had 20 FSS stamped Pulaski's in there, but only one with a manufacturers stamp.
I have spent hours behind a pulaski. I need to get a good one, but they cost a good bit. I might have to find a old one and restore it.
Very nice. I'm working on restoring a somewhat beat up Woodings Verona axe given to me by my neighbor.
I believe i your video "How To Care For Your Ax & Other Wood Handle Tools" from Sept 2012 you specifically called the red mattocks, from this video, an estate sale find. You used that mattocks to show how to care for the handle. I was surprise to see you complain about it in this video.
Beautiful work, I'm not particularly interested in chopping, I do it as a chore but you're so passionate about what you do, I have a lot if respect for that
Do we get to see the handle video also? Love your stuff Cody, thanks for your lessons!
I'm a fan. I love ya'lls videos. I especially enjoy your projects like this one. I too enjoy working with my hands however a disability keeps me from them often, or at least being able to work through until completion in a timely manner. Not here to complain just to say one thing that sets you apart is those moments when you show the actual process with no or limited narration and nicely chosen music in the background. Anyhow those moments are almost as satisfying as if I done it myself.
Whit
I have restored a broadaxe and used a wire brush wheel on an angle grinder. It removes all the rust but leaves the old surface that I quite like. The only problems is it still leaves the dimples that you said are a problem.
Twas battered and scarred, and the shopkeeper thought
thought it scarcely worth his while to waste much time on the axe head,
but held it up with a smile; "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?" "A dollar, a dollar"; then two!" "Only
two? Two dollars, and who'll make it three? Two dollars, once; Two
dollars twice; going for Two... And done!" and to his room, far back, a
wise man went forward and picked up the head; Then, grinding the rust
from the axe head, and restoring the old edge, he created an axe
clean and sharp as the lumberjacks sing
The work had ceased, and the craftsman said, with a voice that was quiet with a sigh, said; "where else could I find this fine axe head?" And he held it up proud and high. A bazzar? A mall? An auction house? And who'll make once more?
And youtubers marvelled at the sheen and the polish Many of them cheered and some of them cried
"What could possibly have changed it's worth?"
"The touch of a master's hand."
Charles Hammond Jr great tale
I'm not sure if you've found out yet, but the maker's mark is the stamp of the Verona Tool Co. out of PA.
It looks like very nice tool, well made, but I am completely unsure of what the back part of the tool is.. Could you explain this in part two?
Whenever I find an old tool that is heavily rusted, I clean it with an electrolysis process using a 10 amp battery charger, washing soda, and a sacrificial piece of steel (I use a sash weight). After performing any major repairs, I spray the tool with phosphoric acid which converts any remaining rust (even that in those microscopic pores) into stable iron phosphate. I then tune and polish the tool to the state of finish desired. I work on other (fun) things while the hard work is done for me.
The spade end is actually a grubbing axe for root work and turning the soil to make a fire breaks.
I think it is an anchor and the dot at the tip is where they marked the pivot point. My guess only because when I searched FSS pivot point the articles were about ships and there anchor pivot point.
yeah just be careful of that edge way out on the fire line buddy. went to Idaho one year, first fire we were on a fellow crew member cut his leg open walking in the black. I plan on ordering a new Pulaski. such a great tool to use, if it's good for the gov it must be good for you. great video.
Hey Cody Looks like your Pulaski was made by Verona Tool Works in Pennsylvania not sure if they are still around ... looks like they made amazing tools.
I prefer sand blasting or to use a sand and ceramic tumbler to get the rust off. It's slower but it does'nt leave any buffing marks.
Just a preference.
The letters FSS are cast into the steel along with the logo for the Verona Tool Works.
you already gave us all the best prize possible... the knowledge from the videos
Great to see you so happy about a simple tool! Love your work.
Pulaski's are awesome tools to have.Thanks for sharing I'm in search of one myself.
Perhaps it wasn't the best comparison.
I work for a tree service company. Our Pulaski is dull and round. We use it mainly to grub roots for stump removal. Rumor has it that our mechanic took a grinder to the edge. I rebuild axes and am very familiar with tempering, quenching, hardening etc. Are Pulaskis edges tempered like an axe? I assume the axe side is, what about the hoe side? I brought it home today to sharpen it, I'm tired of bouncing off roots.
Any input from other followers is welcome.
electrolysis tank rust removal works well , removes all , but you still need to buff it out to polishe it .
Looks good I will be looking forward to watching you build a axe handle for it now. I have a right angle grinder. I bet I cant find a Pulaski in here but maybe since we have a lot of forest and mountains in Southeast Oklahoma.
pretty cool, about two weeks ago i picked up a big chisel at an estate sale.upon further inspection it had W.P.A stamped on it,you being from oregon im sure you know those letters.and cool to think it may have done work at timberline or somthin
The Pulaski axe is a beauty. Comparing it to a cutter head mattock is a little off base. The axe is primarily an axe. The mattock is primarily for grubbing.
I didn't remove. It shouldn't cause any problems.
Good job, and great find. I didn't even know these existed. Looking for the handle video next! Way to go Cody, thanks for sharing.
Cody, I have gotten pleasure out of your videos for years now. I want to give back-ish. I have a Polaski, it is old and pretty bent up. but I know you could fix it. If you would like me to send it to you I could try. I would be happy to make a video on it to show you it's condition...
That's actually really cool of you.
Yet no response
i love all of your restoration videos I've seen so far, and I have a suggestion for you, to save time and effort with metal. a 50/50 mix of windex and mr. clean. jewelers use it to restore delicate jewelry without scratching. I've used it to soak a seized motorcycle chain. it broke the seize, and brought a shine to the chain overnight.
Beautiful piece my friend... Your workmenships shines as an example for all of us.
The mark is of Wooding Verona Tool Works, Pennsylvania, which is now Ames True Temper. You could look at it as an ancor or maybe a bird in flight.
please, please, please take a video of your first swing with this axe. it will bring me and i'd reckon others great joy to watch you use it. fantastic find and restoration.
Please tell me the song name @ 6:20 Wranglestar
There are some mattock/splitters on the same general plan as your cheap chinese one that are worth having - though the decent ones backs describe a nicer curve. When you get one with the right geometry they're brilliant for breaking up rough soil, and general cutting, also due to the heavy pick handles and the shape of them you can remove bigger stumps than you'd think in next to no time. I'd also defend them on the basis that a number of them will give you a great, albeit funny looking axe for rough, general use.
The big flaw being that if you're using them to break up soil in larger digging (think large trenches and deeper holes) hitting the wrong rock sends the splitter back at your face far more easily than you'd expect. The one I've been using lately is about 5lbs but when you're working all day you get in to a rhythm of very fast swings and something about the shape makes it prone to coming back up with much more energy than you'd expect from the tool looking at it.
Cody, The best guess I can come up with on the manufacturer mark is FAYETTE R. PLUMB or PLUMB CO. The plumb "jet wing" mark is very close. You can see it at yester years tools dot com and select Plumb Co. (it's about 2/3 the way down the page.
I can't find much more info than that. Hope it helps though.